Tanner climbed into the too-small shower with her. Deliberately, he let his body brush against hers. “Yeah, jealous.” The water crashed over him. “As in . . . if that vamp touches you again . . .” He’d been able to all but smell the vamp’s lust, and it hadn’t just been lust for her blood. “He’ll lose those fingers.” Not an idle threat.

And, unlike a few other paranormals that Tanner knew, the vamp wouldn’t regrow those appendages.

“I don’t want him to touch me.” Her gaze met his. “I don’t want him.”

His hands rose. Sank into the heavy weight of her damp hair. “You want me.” Not a question.

Her chin lifted. “As much as you want me.”

Enough talking. He couldn’t handle any more. Tanner’s mouth took hers. The kiss was deep and hot, and just made the shower steam more. He’d never be able to get enough of her taste. Sweet but rich. Flowing right on his tongue. Making him insane with need.

Her body, so slick and warm, pressed against his. His fingers skimmed down her back, over the scars that he’d learned could bring her pleasure and not just more pain.

He only wanted her pleasure. Always.

She moaned into his mouth, and his fingers trailed lightly over the marks on her back. Raised ridges and the ghosts of wings that were gone. Only . . . he could almost feel those wings. So soft and silken beneath his touch.

But her hands rose and pushed against his chest. She shook her head at him, and Tanner’s gut clenched.

That damn vamp was right. And Tanner had been wrong. Marna didn’t want to have sex with him. She was still angry.

Some women don’t want animals.

His breath seemed cold in his chest. Strange, when the water was so warm.

“This time,” Marna told him, and her voice had become a husky rumble that skated right over his flesh, “it’s my way.”

Uh, her way? He’d take her any way.

The water poured over them, and she gave him a smile of pure sin. Not an angel.

Then she stepped out of the shower. Naked, body glistening, she was the sexiest thing he’d ever seen.

Compared to her, he was big, rough, and scarred.

But her eyes were hot as they tracked over him, and Marna licked her lips as she stared at his erection. “If you want me,” she said, “come and get me.”

Just the kind of game that the beast inside liked. Nothing was better than a hunt for your mate.

Mate.

The word had slipped through his mind again, but as she disappeared through the open doorway, he knew that was exactly what she was.

Did she realize it?

Tanner yanked the shower knob and turned off the blasting water. The drip, drip, drip of the water followed him as he followed her, nice and slow. No need to rush. He’d get her in his bed.

Sooner, not later.

Tanner didn’t bother drying off. What was the point? She had him so hot steam was rising from his own skin.

The bedroom was dark. The bed was empty. His gaze scanned to the left. The right—

“Get in bed,” Marna told him.

His eyebrows rose. Since when was Marna into giving orders?

But he’d keep playing, for now.

He climbed into the bed. Still naked, she crept from the shadows. Did she know how well he could see in the dark? She should. The lady seemed to know all the secrets that shifters carried.

Marna stared down at him; then she climbed onto the bed. The mattress dipped beneath her weight.

Her hands pressed against his legs. “I’ve been wondering . . .” Her breath blew lightly over his aroused flesh. “Just how you’d taste.”

Then she put her mouth on him, and Tanner couldn’t think about anything else.

Hot. Wet.

She kissed him. Sucked his flesh. Took him deep into her mouth.

Too damn good.

His flesh stretched even more. His balls tightened. Her mouth and tongue were hesitant at first, as if she was unsure, but she was so sensual and her mouth felt f**king great.

His hips arched toward her. He wanted to bury his hands in her hair and push her to a faster, harder rhythm. Instead, his claws sank into the mattress on either side of him. He wouldn’t push her.

Pleasure.

He’d take what she gave him—and they’d both burn with pleasure.

His claws dug deeper. Her tongue licked over him.

Tanner’s eyes squeezed closed. Her mouth . . . Marna was one fast learner. But he didn’t want this to be just about him. “Stop,” he growled out, “before I come.”

Another lick. Another silken caress of lips and tongue, but then she pulled back. His eyes opened.